# Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) (/docs/verdent-manager/configuration/byok)

> Use your own provider API keys in Verdent Desktop and understand where BYOK models are available



## Overview [#overview]

BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) lets you connect your own provider API keys and use those models directly inside Verdent's built-in agents.

### BYOK vs BYOA [#byok-vs-byoa]

Verdent offers two "bring your own" paths—don't confuse them:

|                         | BYOK                                                                            | BYOA                                                                                              |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **What you bring**      | A provider API key                                                              | An Agent runtime (Codex / Claude Code)                                                            |
| **What runs your task** | Verdent's built-in agent, using the provider behind your key                    | The external CLI agent on your machine                                                            |
| **Typical use case**    | Access a model under your own billing, or use a provider not bundled by default | Keep your existing Codex / Claude Code workflow while letting Manager dispatch Worker tasks to it |
| **Configure at**        | Settings → Models → Configure Models                                            | Settings → Models → CLI Agents                                                                    |

See [BYOA](/docs/verdent-manager/configuration/byoa) for running Worker tasks on an external Agent runtime.

## Supported Providers [#supported-providers]

* Anthropic
* OpenAI
* OpenRouter

## Add an API Key [#add-an-api-key]

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open model configuration">
    Go to **Settings → Models → Configure Models**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start adding a key">
    Click &#x2A;*Add API Key +** in the top-right corner.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose provider and models">
    Select a provider and choose the models you want to enable.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter credentials">
    Add your API key.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and validate">
    Click **Save**. Verdent validates the key automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Validation Results [#validation-results]

* If validation succeeds, the key is saved and the selected models become available.
* If validation fails, Verdent shows an error so you can update the key and try again.

## Manage Existing API Keys [#manage-existing-api-keys]

Under **Settings → Models → Configure Models**, you can:

* Enable or disable all models for a provider
* Enable or disable individual models
* Edit an existing API key
* Delete an API key

## Where BYOK Models Appear [#where-byok-models-appear]

After you add a valid key, BYOK models appear in:

* The chat model selector
* Preset model configuration
* Subagent settings
* Reviewer settings

BYOK models behave like built-in models once they are enabled.

## Limitations [#limitations]

* Built-in features such as Smart Suggestions do not support BYOK API keys.
* Automatic compression does not support BYOK API keys.